A schedule of events through April 11....

A schedule of events through April 11. Films will be shown at six

venues: Edwards Big Newport, 300 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach;

Lido Theater, 3459 Via Lido, Newport Beach; Edwards Island Cinemas

(two theaters, designated either Blue or Gold), 999 Newport Center

Drive, Newport Beach; Orange County Museum of Art, 850 San Clemente

Drive, Newport Beach; Adventures at Sea Theaters, 3101 West Coast

Highway, Newport Beach. Unless otherwise marked, tickets are $8 and

can be purchased at the box office or online at www.newportbeach

filmfest.com. For more information, check the web site or call (949)

253-2880.

* Denotes special event

TODAY

9 a.m.

THE PRINCESS AND THE PEA

Adventures at Sea Theaters

United States /Hungary /Spain 2002

World Premiere

* DIRECTOR: Mark Swan

* SCREENWRITERS: Forrest S. Baker III, Mark Swan, Ken Cromar

* CAST: Amanda Waring, Jonathan Firth, Nigel Lambert

* RUNNING TIME: 86 minutes

The quest for the heart of true nobility takes Sebastian, a wise

old raven, on a search for the answer to an ancient riddle that will

save the ancient kingdom of Corazion. Prince Rollo seeks a princess

to help save Corazion and finds her by a chance encounter with a

kind-hearted peasant girl. This causes Rollo to ponder where true

beauty lies.

9:30 a.m.

TOUCHING WILD HORSES

Adventures at Sea Theaters

Canada, Germany, United Kingdom. France 2002

* DIRECTOR: Eleanore Lindo

* SCREENWRITER: Murray McRae

* CAST: Jane Seymour, Charles Martin Smith, Mark Rendall

Attended by Film Representatives

* RUNNING TIME: 90 minutes

After 11-year-old Mark’s father and sister are killed in a car

accident, he is sent to live with his only relative, Aunt Fiona. She

lives on the remote Sable Island off Canada’s east coast. Fiona’s

strict routine and the confines of the island provide Mark with the

structure that he has been sorely lacking. Their delicate new

understanding is shattered when Mark disobeys Fiona’s edict against

interfering with the wild horses on the island. Mark and Fiona’s

relationship undergoes monumental shifts when he discovers that she

has a secret sorrow.

11 a.m.

CHILDREN’S SHORTS

Adventures at Sea Theaters

* BLUEGAROO

A 4-year-old girl named Tabitha meets Bluegaroo, the imaginary

6-foot tall, blue, flying kangaroo.

* HENRY’S GARDEN

A monster must find peace when his love of flowers, his only

pleasure, is threatened by the terrible transformation of his

environment.

* KANGAROO CREEK GANG

A game of real snakes and ladders begins when Mr. Lizard drops

down a hole after Kevin Kangaroo wishes he’d disappear.

* LITTLE RED PLANE

A toy plane carries a boy back for one last adventure with his

father.

* PAWS

The shocking truth about what your dog does at home while you are

away.

GANGS FROM ROSARIO (ROSARIGASINOS)

Edwards Island -- Blue

Argentina 2001

* DIRECTOR: Rodrigo Grande

* SCREENWRITER: Miguel Angel

* CAST: Alberto Saravia

* RUNNING TIME: 90 minutes

Thirty years after a botched heist, Alberto Saravia is released

from jail, along with his comrade, Castor the Gimp. In spite of their

advanced years, they hope to unite their old gang and grab the hidden

loot. Crime, friendship and thwarted love pulse through this jovial

Argentine heist drama.

I LOVE JOHANN

Edwards Island -- Gold

Sweden 2003

U.S. Premiere

* DIRECTOR: Henrik Norrthon

* SCREENWRITER: Martin Jern

* CAST: Amelie Norgaard

* RUNNING TIME: 45 minutes

A brilliant independent film, shot without a director in an

anarchical production environment by a team of only four people. It’s

a mellow short telling summer story of teen Johan and his encounters

with Tove, Eva, Jakob and Carolina.

SHORTS (S10): USC SHORTS

Lido Theater

* SOGNATORE

The music of Vivaldi transports a boy from his bedroom to a

mystical stage where notes come alive and ride to the stars.

* I DREAMT OF BOMBAY

Robert Jones is forced to choose between the unfortunate truth and

a beautiful lie.

* LULLABY

A beautiful woman dances the night away.

* STRAIGHT WHITE MEN & ME

A bisexual Asian director examines her stereotypes of straight

white men in this sometimes hilarious, probing personal documentary.

* ELEVATOR

A sensuous ride through one man’s subconscious desires.

* MBOUTOUKOU

When his family doesn’t think he can take the responsibilities

left to him at his older brother’s departure, 12 year-old Napo sets

out to prove himself.

* UP

A prisoner dreams of fanciful flight from his dark subterranean

cell.

* CROSSING

A young street kid suspects that his life may be nothing more than

a bad dream and puts his theory to the test.

* DANCE WITH ME

On his 50th wedding anniversary, a mysterious stranger shows

Pierre that the greatest gift is the ability to appreciate what he

already has.

12 p.m.

WOMEN WITHOUT WINGS

Edwards Island -- Gold

Canada 2002

* DIRECTOR: Nicholas Kinsey

* SCREENWRITER: Nicholas Kinsey

* CAST: Katya Gardner

* RUNNING TIME: 109 minutes

Marjie is truly incapable of choosing between two lovers. She goes

to a family funeral in the mountains of Albania and steps into a past

of furious blood feuds and the ancient customs rooted in legend. She

is so enchanted by her new found life that she decides to become a

“vowed virgin,” a woman who lives out her life as a man, never

marrying or having children.

12:30 p.m.

THE SWEATBOX

Orange County Museum of Art

United Kingdom 2002

* DIRECTORS: John-Paul Davidson, Trudie Styler

* RUNNING TIME: 86 minutes

In 1997, Sting was asked by the Walt Disney Company to write the

music for a new animation feature called “Kingdom of the Sun.” The

film was eventually released as “The Emperor’s New Groove.” For the

first time in its history, Disney allowed an outside film crew into

its world to chronicle the nuts and bolts, and the blood, sweat and

tears of its animation. This was the bumpiest ride that anyone within

the studio could remember, and not what you would imagine in the cozy

world of Mickey Mouse.

1 p.m.

CINEMATOGRAPHER’S FORUM

Edwards Island -- Blue

1:30 p.m.

LABYRINTH (LAVIRINT)

Lido Theater

Yugoslavia 2002

* DIRECTOR: Mirces lau Lekik

* SCREENWRITERS: Igor Bojovic, Miroslav Lekic

* CAST: Svetozar Cvetkovic, Branislav Lecic, Dragan Nikolic,

Katarina Radivojevic, Maja Sablijic, Josif Tatic

* RUNNING TIME: 106 minutes

When Pop, a compulsive gambler, returns to his homeland after 20

years, he accompanies an old friend, Laki, to a seance. There he

receives a message from his past, from Zoran, a childhood friend

thought to have committed suicide long ago. The medium tells Pop that

Zoran did not kill himself -- he was killed. When Pop later meets

Zoran’s alleged killer, he finds himself in the midst of dangerous

events that will lead him to a place he never knew existed.

2 p.m.

SAINT MONICA

Edwards Island -- Gold

Canada 2002

West Coast Premiere

* DIRECTOR: Terrance Odette

* SCREENWRITER: Terrance Odette

* CAST: Gienevieve Buechner, Clare Coulter, Brigitte Bako

Attended by Film Representatives

* RUNNING TIME: 82 minutes

In the heart of Toronto, a tenacious young girl’s dream is to

participate as one of the angels in the annual church procession in

honor of the “Assumption of the Virgin Mary.” When Monica is denied

that chance, she steals the large archangel wings for herself. Losing

the wings on her way home, she finds them a few days later on the

back of a woman who lives in the ravine below the bridges that divide

the city.

B-17 FLYING LEGEND

Orange County Museum of Art

United States 2002

* DIRECTOR: Mark Feijo

* SCREENWRITER: Mark Feijo

* CAST: Susan Williams

Attended by director, producer

* RUNNING TIME: 52 minutes

During World War II, America fought a fearsome battle over the

skies in Europe. It was a decisive moment in the history of the

world. From 1942 to mid 1944, Germany had the advantage: experience,

years preparing for the inevitable air war and great engineers behind

extremely well-designed machines. One plane, however, was to overcome

all of these odds and prove that persistence was a much greater power

than fear. This airplane was the B-17 Flying Fortress, whose legacy

is unmatched in the history of aviation.

3:30 p.m.

STANDARD TIME

Edwards Island -- Blue

United States 2001

* DIRECTOR: Robert Cary

* SCREENWRITERS: Isabel Rose, Robert Cary

* CAST: Isabel Rose, Cameron Bancroft, Alix Corey, Ilana Levine,

Eartha Kitt, Victor Argo, Andrew McCarthy

Attended by director, principal cast

* RUNNING TIME: 99 minutes

Billie Golden is a struggling cabaret singer with a vivid

imagination. Unfortunately, her fantasies are shattered by the

reality of the third rate lounge where she performs. In the midst of

her confusion, Greg Ellenbogen, an old high school heartthrob, now a

successful corporate lawyer, comes back into her life. He offers her

almost everything she could ever desire. But when she meets Elliot,

an arrogant, bohemian musician she is forced to choose between the

luxuries Greg can give her and the one thing he can’t: a life filled

with music.

SPELLBOUND

Lido Theater

United States 2002

* DIRECTOR: Jeff Blitz

Attended by director, producer

* RUNNING TIME: 97 minutes

An intense, true-life experience of the National Spelling Bee as

seen through the eyes of eight driven young spellers. We share in

their private lives as they train for and compete in the ultimate

intellectual showdown. From the hardscrabble plains of Texas to the

manicured lawns of Connecticut, from the redneck Ozark countryside to

the troubled Washington, D.C. projects, Spellbound presents a

patchwork of real and modern American stories.

SHORTS (S15): JOURNEY THROUGH SHORTS

Orange County Museum of Art

* EAST SIDE

A skateboard journey to Asia and beyond.

* RAISE THE CANE

A documentary following 100 men and women dressed as Santa Claus

who make an annual pilgrimage to New York City.

4 p.m.

JUST DO IT (HAMYEONDOENDA)

Edwards Island -- Gold

South Korea 2000

West Coast Premiere

* DIRECTOR: Park Dae --Young

* SCREENWRITERS: Kwon In-Chan, Lee Young Park, Park Dae-Young

* CAST: Park Sang Yeon, Park Jin-Hee, Lee Beom-Su, Jeong Jun, An

Seok-hwan, Ok-suk, Park In-hwan, Na Moon-hee, Lee Yun-seong and Ko

Ho-kyeong

* RUNNING TIME: 93 minutes

Making a satire of Nike’s slogan, “Just Do It!,” director Park

Jae-Dong applies it to a middle-class family in South Korea who take

advantage of the “economic miracles” happening there in this age of

financial boom. In this particular instance, Park pokes fun at

insurance scams, and how the Korean bourgeoisie has picked up tricks

learned in the Western World.

5 p.m.

THE KRESS LOUNGE

Orange County Museum of Art

United States 2002

* DIRECTOR: Renie Oxley

* SCREENWRITER: Renie Oxley

* RUNNING TIME: 56 minutes

The story of 86-year-old Irene Kress, a Polish immigrant business

owner, and her refusal to conform, change or follow the

gentrification of Detroit. The Kress Lounge is the home she created

for many including the Purple Gang, Veronica Lake, Milton Berle and

even a horse named Trigger. The film covers the 65-year history and

present-day happenings through its unexpected sale and demolition.

6 p.m.

SHORTS (S1): GANGS OF NEW SHORTS

Edwards Island -- Blue

* RIDE

When a routine call goes horribly wrong, a young man finds himself

trapped in the back seat of a squad car with a killer behind the

wheel.

* GRACE

A tale about the choices we make and what we truly want our lives

to mean.

* BILL’S SEAT

A flat tire traps a New Yorker in the local bar of a small

Pennsylvania town.

* ONE

On the eve of their separation, the shared memories of two young

lovers coalesce in a single tragic instant.

* UNTITLED:003-EMBRYO

What began as a simple act of curiosity descends into madness as

Jason exploits other people’s dreams to fulfill his ultimate fantasy.

* GERANIUM PEACE (GERANIENFRIEDE)

An award winning, darkly humorous mosaic of erect steeples, fuming

men, airborne children, seething neighbors, shrewish housewives,

enraged clouds and rampaging dogs.

* HEADS AND TAILS

Brought together in the local fish store, a beautiful woman, a

mystical little boy and the bond between two brothers renew a

fisherman’s interrupted faith.

SHORTS (S11): OSCAR NOMINATED SHORTS

Lido Theater

* DOG (INJA)

A South African farmer uses a Xhousa boy to teach his puppy to be

white man’s friend. Ten years later, both find themselves at the

mercy of the dog.

* WHY CAN’T WE BE A FAMILY AGAIN

A cinema verite portrait of two brothers who long to be reunited

with their mother.

* THE COLLECTOR OF BEDFORD STREET

When a 59-year-old retarded charity worker needs help, his West

Village Manhattan community comes to his aid.

FRIENDS AND FAMILY

Edwards Island -- Gold

United States 2002

* DIRECTOR: Kristen Coury

* SCREENWRITER: Joseph Triebwasser

* CAST: Tony Lo Bianco, Anna Maria Alberghetti

RUNNING TIME: 90 minutes

Stephen Torcelli and Danny Russo are a hunky and stylish Manhattan

couple who live in a perfectly appointed row house with plenty of

closet space and alphabetized skin-care products. When Stephen’s

parents announce a surprise visit, Stephen and Danny must scramble to

prepare the performance of a lifetime. Not that they’re closeted.

It’s just that Stephen can’t let his parents know that he and Danny

are ruthless mob enforcers for Don Patrizzi!.

6:30 p.m.

THE LAST ZAPATISTAS, FORGOTTEN HEROES (LOS ULTIMOS ZAPATISTAS,

HEROES OLVIDADOS)

Orange County Museum of Art

Mexico 2001 * DIRECTOR: Francesco Taboada Tabone

* SCREENWRITER: Sarah Perrig

Attended by Director

* RUNNING TIME: 70 minutes

Organized in 1910 by Emiliano Zapata, peasants of Morelos took up

arms and directly challenged 400 years of Spanish-style Mexican rule.

Elders of the Mexican revolution tell us the story one more time,

only this time, we listen 100 years deeper into the struggle for

indigenous and peasant rights.

8 p.m.

SHORTS (S19): MENDING SHORTS

Orange County Museum of Art

* ONE LIFE

David Harlow Rice didn’t expect a plane to fly into his office

building September 11, nor did his family expect to be mourning his

loss one year later.

* IMPROBABLE PAIRS

A series of short film segments about pairs of people who have

made peace with each other against truly extraordinary odds.

8:30 p.m.

EDDIE (EDI)

Edwards Island -- Blue

Poland 2002

DIRECTOR: Piotr Trzaskalski

SCREENWRITERS: Piotr Trzaskalski, Wojciech Lepianka

CAST: Henryk Golebiewski, Jacek Braciak, Jacek Lenartowicz,

Grzegorz Stelmaszewski, Ola Kisio, Dominik Bak

Attended by Film Representatives

RUNNING TIME: 97 minutes

Two gangster brothers who rule the neighborhood beat a fellow

scrap picker to death. This is the brothers’ way of enforcing

payments for illegally sold alcohol. The brothers want Eddie to tutor

their 17 year old sister, Princess, whom they have been bringing up

since the death of their parents. The brothers chose Eddie for his

avid reading and his ugliness, a guarantee that the feisty girl will

not sleep with him. Three months later, Princess is pregnant. The

brothers’ suspicions fall on Gypsy, a young supplier of illegal

alcohol. In order to protect her beloved, Princess tells them Eddie

is the father.

CASTLE IN THE SKY*

Animation Spotlight

Lido Theater

Japan 1986

DIRECTOR: Hayao Miyazaki

SCREENWRITER: Hayao Miyazaki

CAST: James van der Beek, Cloris Leachman, Anna Paquin, Mark

Hamill, Andy Dick, Mandy Patinkin

RUNNING TIME: 124 minutes

Hayao Miyazaki’s engaging films are known and loved across the

globe for their compelling characters, entertaining plots and

stunning animation. “Castle In The Sky” takes audiences on a

fantastic journey to a mythical retro-future full of amazing

landscapes and wonderful flying machines. Pazu (James van der Beek),

a young boy, finds the beautiful girl Sheeta (Anna Paquin) slowly

descending from the sky wearing a crystal, one that allows her to

float in the air. Sheeta can’t remember the crystal’s secret, but it

becomes the target of a band of rabble-rousing sky pirates, led by

their hilarious leader (Cloris Leachman).

A reception will be held after the screening at the Hard Rock

Cafe. $20. Casual.

RED TROUSERS: THE LIFE OF THE HONG KONG STUNTMEN*

Hong Kong Spotlight

Edwards Island -- Gold

Hong Kong 2003

World Premiere

* RUNNING TIME: 90 minutes

In this dazzling combination of documentary and short film hosted

by and starring Robin Shou, star of Mortal Kombat, the death-defying

feats performed by the world’s greatest stuntmen are profiled through

interviews and clips that showcase their work. Intercutting with the

documentary footage is the short film “Lost Time,” a futuristic

martial arts adventure in the style of Alex Proya’s “Dark City,”

where one can appreciate the stuntmen’s extraordinary achievement in

their final cinematic form.

The reception featuring a Wushu Martial Arts exhibition and Lion

Dance will follow the screening at the Hard Rock Cafe. $20. Casual.